An evaluation of zero carbon targets for privately held housing stock built prior to 1919
Thermal storage options for new dwellings achieving 100% zero carbon targets through the use of fully sealed envelopes.
August 6, 2021Reinvigorating the housing market through compulsory green construction
August 6, 2021An evaluation of zero carbon targets for privately held housing stock built prior to 1919
Example environment dissertation topic 2:
An evaluation of zero carbon targets for privately held housing stock built prior to 1919
Of the 15 million owner-occupied dwellings in England in 2008, 21% were constructed before 1919 (DCLG, 2010) The UK government’s plan for ‘100% zero carbon by 2016’ for new housing has indeed highlighted the focus of successive governments on the improvement of energy efficiency in new build residential applications. Insufficient attention has been paid, however, to the improvement of energy efficiency in dwellings of more than 100 years old, held as private housing stock. This dissertation examines the means by which such stock may address zero carbon targets from a variety of construction-related perspectives, including affordability, and makes recommendations for future zero carbon projects.
Suggested initial topic reading:
- Department of Communities and Local Government (2008). English housing survey 2008. London: HMSO.
- Power, A. (2008). ‘Does demolition or refurbishment of old and inefficient homes help to increase our environmental, social and economic viability?’, Energy Policy, Vol. 36(12), pp. 4487-4501.
- Xing, Y., Hewitt, N. and Griffiths, P. (2011). ‘Zero carbon buildings refurbishment: A hierarchical pathway’, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 15(6), pp. 3229-3236.
